A Worldview Framework Approach Dr. John Valk Renaissance College A Worldview Framework Approach Prof. Dr. Mualla Selçuk Ankara University Turkey Prof. Dr. John Valk University of New Brunswick Canada Worldviews, Religions and Cultures

Introduction: The problem: pervasive association (stereotypes) Of religion & violence Of Islam & violence The challenge: develop new educational model Develop dynamic worldviews approach (undermines stereotypes) Engage learners Present a dynamic understanding of Islam as a religion of peace The result: a new journey into Islam Comments by individual members Value of worldview framework for Religious Education. Conclusion Selçuk/Valk - Skopia 2015

The Problem 1. Pervasive association of religion & violence Dr. John Valk Renaissance College The Problem 1. Pervasive association of religion & violence Media: Incessant displays/reports linking religion & violence Prominent writers Hitchens/Dawkins: Religion poisons everything Education: Religion becomes easy identifier Ireland: Catholics vs Protestants Crusades: Christians vs Muslims Confuse correlation with causation Reality check: religion linked directly to only 17% of violent conflicts Failures Distortions: religion truncated “cherry-picking” – leads to religious extremists & violence Religion and Wars   Axelrod, Alan & Phillips, Charles Encyclopedia of Wars, Facts on File, November 2004, ISBN 978-0-8160-2851-1. Deem, Richard.  Sheiman, Bruce (2009). An Atheist Defends Religion : Why Humanity is Better Off with Religion than Without It. Alpha Books. pp. 117–118. ISBN 1592578543. Day, Vox (2008). The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens. BenBella Books. pp. 104–106. ISBN 1933771364. Lurie, Alan. "Is Religion the Cause of Most Wars?". Huffington Post. "The Encyclopedia of War" by Gordon Martel (17 Jan 2012, 2912 pages) The Myth of Religious Violence: Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict, W. Cavanaugh, Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-19-538504-5 Entick, The General History of the Later War, Volume 3, 1763, p. 110. McGarry J, O'Leary B, 1995. Explaining Northern Ireland: Broken Images.Oxford, Blackwell Selçuk/Valk - Skopia 2015 Worldviews, Religions and Cultures

The Problem: 2. Pervasive association of Islam & violence Dr. John Valk Renaissance College The Problem: 2. Pervasive association of Islam & violence Media: Islam is violent 9/11; car/mosque bombings; ISIS; beheadings Explicit/implicit presentation of extremism Prominent writers: Islam authoritarian/patriarchal/rigid Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Salmon Rushdie, Danish cartoons, Charlie Hebo Education: passive model Top down approach: prescribed answers: Islamic beliefs Presents information: five pillars; Quran; tradition; holy sites Failures: Failure to engage learners Failure to contextualize Qur’an and/or Hadith Easily links of theology & violence Confuse correlation with causation: see JOSEPH LAYCOCK NOVEMBER 4, 2014 IN OK, A “CHRISTIAN” AND A “MUSLIM” DECAPITATION CHALLENGE “RELIGIOUS” VIOLENCE NARRATIVE http://religiondispatches.org/in-ok-a-christian-and-a-muslim-decapitation-challenge-religious-violence-narrative/ Selçuk/Valk - Skopia 2015 Worldviews, Religions and Cultures

The Challenge: 1. Engaging the learner Challenge learners to think: Establish meaningful connections: Between learners own lives and religious content “Bottom up” rather than “top down” Respond to deepest questions and concerns Engage challenges/questions: from religion, science, reason, culture Let questions guide answers Statements become questions: E.g., two central themes of Islam: “What does it mean to believe in God?” “What does it mean to be a good person?” No rigid/prescribed responses Let students explore the possibilities Requires an interdisciplinary worldviews approach Selçuk/Valk - Skopia 2015

The Challenge: 2. A worldview approach to Islam Worldview Framework Personal/Group Identity Religious/Cultural Dimensions Ultimate/Existential Questions Epistemological/Ontological Categories Universal/Particular Beliefs, Values & Principles Selçuk/Valk - Skopia 2015